Ravenna – A crafty little smile crossed the face of Jill Wolford as she expertly handled the 700-degree soldering iron and melted lead in front of her. She applied the lead to oddly-shaped, orange foil-wrapped pieces of glass which would eventually morph into a jack-o’-lantern fit for the upcoming Autumn season. Wolford has a great passion for her handmade conceptions which she exudes in spades when teaching her classes. It is quite the experience to take a stained-glass lesson with Jill as she willingly distributes her knowledge to enhance the experience of students. Always happy to assist showing you the technique, as it does take a certain amount of patience for the final project to come together. “If you can cook you can solder,” she said laughingly.
Wolford draws inspiration for her business from family lineage she said lightheartedly of the artist possibly connected to her mother’s maiden name. “My mother’s name was Amanda Inez Pisanello, and there may be a possible connection to the artist Antonio Pisanello, who was prolific during his time.” He was known professionally as Antonio di Puccio Pisano (1395-1455) and considered one of the most notable painters of the early Italian Renaissance. The blue and red logo symbolizing her business is inspired by elements of a Pisanello drawing. Jill drew ideas from the original to lay out an eye-catching design to represent her shop.
A framed painting by Pisanello called, Portrait of a Princess of the House of Este (circa1435-1449) hangs in Wolford’s shop as a reminder of the artistic nature anyone can develop within themselves whether it be as a painter or stained-glass creator. “He did metal work, sketches, and a ton of different art mediums,” she said. “He was the go-to guy apparently.” It seems now that Jill is “the go to girl” when it comes to getting a unique experience making a decorative stained-glass butterfly for your window or taking a class with friends to create Christmas ornaments for loved ones.
Let’s not forget this former construction worker has a college degree in Recreation which allowed her to be a substitute teacher for various schools in the area. This is where the fates aligned, because she met Stacey Woolf, while subbing for Waterloo Schools in Atwater, where the two budding entrepreneurs became fast friends. Woolf, also an artist, would one day encourage Jill to broaden her horizons by opening her own business, now located in the same building as Studio Clay, owned by Stacey Woolf. “Ravenna is coming around and it is on the rise,” Jill said. The idea of promoting art in the area is a key component to the symbiotic relationship shared between Pisanello Glass Co. and Studio Clay.
There are a few different options for students to choose from when beginning their adventure into the colorful world of stained glass. For example, a starter class with one pre-assembled kit for $25 where Jill will guide you through the steps of foil wrapping, soldering lead with a compound called flux for assembly of the colored glass and how to create a patinaed look on the finished product. It can change the lead to a silver, bronze or natural black using and acid wash to age the look of the metal. A comprehensive class that includes pattern making, glass cutting, soldering and glazing is another option for $65.
Those who wish to pursue leaded glass as more than a one-time experience can purchase the tools of the trade in the retail area and work on their own pieces at home. Or once a student is proficient, they can come use the workshop to make their own piece pre-assembled kit for $15, $20 or $27 depending on size. Her shop is laid out for each stage of development with specific areas for wrapping, cutting, grinding, soldering and glazing. “I want people to feel free to create if they want,” she said. “Right now I have one customer who wants to design a dolphin. So I’m working with her on that.” Another item Jill is interested in making for clients is a manatee. It can be designed in a computer program that allows her to print off a color-coded system to follow along with. It can be described as a little bit like painting by numbers.
Wolford’s personal philosophy is that you should always be doing something to stay involved and active in your own life. It is not any wonder that while she is at the beginning stages of developing her business it has come a long way in a short amount of time. Her selection and what she offers is priced reasonably which allows her guests to come back again. “I think art should be affordable for everyone so that the skills can be passed down to future generations.” Therefore, she has the future goal of working with the Kent State University Art Department to possibly teach their students. Jill also hopes in the future to grow her pre-assembled kit inventory and get more customers to take up the stained-glass craft.
Impressive hand-made pieces of leaded glass artwork such as sunflowers, grapevines, fleur-de-lis, custom pieces with bubbles representing Studio Clay, letters of the alphabet, daisies and tulips, ladybugs, little bees and cute umbrellas can be seen around the Pisanello workshop. They highlight the creative talents of a Renaissance Lady you are going to want to get to know and learn from.
For additional pricing information or to schedule appointment contact Jill Wolford at 330-858-7674 or check out the Pisanello Glass Co Facebook page
